ephemera

c 1876 Handbill for Rentable Life-Saving Suit

c 1876 Handbill for Rentable Life-Saving Suit

48.00

Although no reference to the “Serf Jacket” can be found on the Internet, we found several newspaper ads in 1876 for the “Life Saving Suit” created by the American Life Saving Suit Co. of 14 New Church St., New York. Apparently, it was created because of the “continuous disasters at sea and the almost countless lives that have been lost.” The ads always comment, “This suit having been tested and approved by the most scientific and practical authorities, we now offer it as a means of absolute safety from death by drowning.” The rental cost for the ocean voyage was $5.

4.5 x 7". No tears, folds or holes. Has some faint water stains at bottom third. There is a small red stain at the bottom edge, center. Paper is thin but structurally sound.